Tag Archives: Health Care

With all the furor over the Supreme Court’s injection of religion into public policy, we hear from theologian James Skillen about the true nature of this country’s spiritual foundation. And activist nun Simone Campbell reveals what she would ask Pope Francis, if she could. Finally, Bill Press interviews Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Hobby Lobby and impeachment.

Jul. 13, 2014Religion is on the menu today with theologian James Skillen, activist nun Simone Campbell and a Bill Press interview with Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the Hobby Lobby case.

James SkillenThe Supreme Court’s exemption for Hobby Lobby from Obamacare and the Justices' incredible decision about contraception makes this is a good time to hear from an actual theologian – Professor James Skillen – about the true role of faith in American politics.

Simone CampbellActivist nun Simone Campbell says the Catholic movement for economic justice is well within the teachings of the church. And she reveals what she would ask Pope Francis.

The Paul Ryan budget – the one that believes black men don’t have the culture to work – comes under attack from Democratic strategist Ed Kilgore. With Obamacare once again under fire at the Supreme Court and another sign-up deadline passing, health care analyst Phillip Longman talks about the policy challenges facing the Affordable Care Act. And law professor Stephen Griffin asks — and answers — how Congress can take a bigger role in decisions to go to war.

Mar. 30, 2014Ed Kilgore on the Ryan budget … Phil Longman on the challenges facing Obamacare … and Stephen Griffin on the role of Congress in deciding when to go to war.

Ed KilgoreWhile Paul Ryan rants about black men being lazy, Democratic analyst Ed Kilgore says the congressman’s budget is a no-compromise holding pattern meant to kill, not just slow down, social programs.

Phillip LongmanPhillip Longman studies the U.S. health care system and recommends it be treated as a “common carrier,” like a utility, in which prices are openly set for specific procedures.

Stephen GriffinWhen Russia annexed Crimea, it once again raised questions about the role of Congress and the White House in establishing foreign and national defense policy. Law professor Stephen Griffin says Congress should centralize its own decision-making.

Journalist and commentator David Cay Johnston says it is the government that is largely responsible for the income inequality plaguing the economy. Health professor Dan Zuberi reveals the shocking cost in both money and lives caused by hospitals outsourcing their non-medical jobs. And Bill Press interviews retiring Congressman George Miller of California.

David Cay JohnstonAward-winning journalist and author David Cay Johnston reveals how Republicans don’t support market capitalism but engage in corporate socialism instead by redistributing wealth from the many to the few.

Dan ZuberiIf hospitals would spend a little more money paying their own employees, instead of outsourcing for the cheapest support workers, they would save money by cutting down on costly hospital infections. That’s the analysis from health professor Dan Zuberi.

George Miller Bill Press and his guest, George Miller, one of the most progressive Democrats in Congress.

How can conservatives and progressives come together to reduce health care costs? Author Phillip Longman says, simply, join forces to oppose the monopoly pricing power of hospitals. Harvard professor Theda Skocpol says mainstream Republicans are riding on the back of the Tea Party tiger, and they may soon regret it. And Bill Press interviews Congressman Keith Ellison, who says progressives should remain optimistic.

Jan. 19, 2014Health expert Phil Longman says while Obama wants to reduce health care costs, he is not cracking down on hospital monopolies. Tea Party expert Theda Skocpol says the GOP is riding the back of a tiger. And Bill Press talks with Rep. Keith Ellison.

Phillip LongmanNo matter how well Obamacare may work, the administration is doing very little to enforce antitrust laws against hospitals, which drive up the price of medical care, says author and health-care analyst Phillip Longman.

Theda SkocpolTheda Skocpol has studied the Tea Party’s death grip on the Republican Party, and the Harvard professor says it is a “pincers movement” applying pressure upward from the grassroots and downward from the big money interests.

Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the "powers that be on behalf of the powers that ought to be."

Twice elected Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Hightower believes that the true political spectrum is not right to left but top to bottom, and he has become a leading national voice for the 90 percent of the public who no longer find themselves within shouting distance of the Washington and Wall Street powers at the top.

As political columnist Molly Ivins said, "If Will Rogers and Mother Jones had a baby, Jim Hightower would be that rambunctious child — mad as hell, with a sense of humor."

To read his latest commentaries and subscribe to his monthly Hightower Lowdown, go to www.JimHightower.com.